Word Counter
Word Counter counts the words, characters and reading time in a piece of text, free and in your browser. You paste or type the text, and the counts update as you type.
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Free · No signup
Word counts matter in real work: essays and assignments have limits, social media posts have limits, and articles are often written to a length. Counting by hand is slow and easy to get wrong, especially when a text is edited several times. This tool counts as you type, so you can see the effect of every edit straight away, and it also gives a rough reading time to help you judge length.
Remember that different counters count slightly differently, especially around hyphenated words and numbers. If a limit is strict, such as an exam or a submission form, check how that form counts as well, and leave a small margin rather than aiming for the exact limit.
Privacy: this tool runs entirely in your browser — no upload, no signup, and your files never leave your device.
A script, article or essay — count how many words it has and how long it takes to read or speak, all live.
How to use Word Counter
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Read the word and character counts as they update.
- Check the estimated reading time if you need it.
- Copy the text or clear it to start again.
Key facts
| Counts | Words, characters, and estimated reading time |
|---|---|
| Input | Pasted or typed text |
| Upload | None — counting happens in your browser |
Frequently asked questions
How does the word counter count words?
Words are separated by spaces and line breaks. A hyphenated word is normally counted as one word, and numbers on their own are counted as words too. Different tools can differ slightly on these edge cases, so leave a margin for strict limits.
What is the reading time based on?
It is a rough estimate from the word count, using a typical adult reading speed. It is useful for judging whether a text is short, medium or long, but it is not an exact measure for any individual reader.
Does the word counter count characters with or without spaces?
The tool shows the character count for the text you enter. If a limit you are working to counts characters without spaces, you may need to check that separately, because the two counts will differ.
Is my text uploaded or saved?
No. Counting happens in your browser only. The text is never sent to a server and is cleared when you close the page.